A47561:14
The gospel minister's maintenance vindicated Wherein, a regular ministry in the churches, is first…
The gospel minister's maintenance vindicated Wherein, a regular ministry in the churches, is first asserted, and the objections against a Gospel maintenance for ministers, answered. Also, the dignity, necessity, difficulty, use and excellency of the ministry of Christ is opened. Likewise, the nature and weightiness of that sacred work and office clearly evinced. Recommended to the baptized congregations, by several elders in and about the City of London.The gospel minister's maintenance vindicated Wherein, a regular ministry in the churches, is first asserted, and the objections against a Gospel maintenance for ministers, answered. Also, the dignity, necessity, difficulty, use and excellency of the ministry of Christ is opened. Likewise, the nature and vveghtiness of that sacred vvork and office clearly evinc'd. Recommended to the baptized congregations, by several elders in and about the City of London.
London : printed, and are to be sold by John Harris at the Harrow, in the Poultry, 1689London : printed, and are to be sold by John Harris at the Harrow, in the Poultrey, 1689
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Contents: The Contents of the chief Things insisted on in the ensuing Treatise.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The Contents of the chief Things insisted on in the ensuing Treatise.
A Regular Ministry Asserted. Pag. 1 Christ himself in his own Person▪ first settled the Ministry in a most solemn manner. 3 Power left to particular Congregations to choose their own Ministers. 6 Churches ought to take care that they choose Men to Office, that are competently qualified, according to 1 Tim. 3.1,2,3. And Tit. 1.6.9: 7 8 Churches after Election and Trial of their Ministers ought solemnly to ordain them by Prayer and Imposition of Hands. 8 9 Churches undue Proceedings in the choice of Elders, dishonourable; and an hinderance to the Gospel. 10 11 Every Congregation that neglects their Duty in providing a fit Maintenance for their Pastors, if able, is dishonourable, and a scandal to Religion. 13 ⟨image 4⟩Ministers Maintenance Asserted strange that any should doubt of it, 13 14 The Scriptures urged, to prove 'tis an indispensable Duty, to provide a comfortable Livelihood for Faithful Ministers. 15 16 13 Arguments to prove this Duty. 1. Christ would not have his Disciples, when he first sent them out, waste their own Substance, whilst employed in his Work. 17 18 2. God has positively ordained, or appointed his Ministers a comfortable Maintenance under the Gospel. 19 20 Ministers Maintenance not now by Tithes, as it was under the Law. 20 21 No denying or avoiding the Duty of Ministers Maintenance. 22 23 3. Ministers commanded to attend wholly upon their Work. 25 Nothing but real Necessity, will admit him to dispense with the contrary, all his time little enough. 26 Pastors must visit their Members, go from House to House. 27 4. Ministers that follow Trades, &c. exposes them to Reproach, therefore if possible to be avoided. 30 31